A soldier killed in an explosion in Afghanistan has been hailed as a hero who saved the lives of his fellow soldiers but lost his own.

Guardsman Daniel Probyn, 22, from Tipton, West Midlands, was serving with 1st Battalion the Grenadier Guards and had also undertaken two tours of duty in Iraq.

Guardsman Daniel Probyn from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards

He died and four others were injured when their patrol came under attack in the town of Garmsir, Helmand Province, in the early hours of Saturday.

Amid a flurry of tributes paid by superiors and colleagues, his platoon commander revealed the last moments of the “inspirational” soldier.

Lieutenant Andrew Tiernan, said: “As is typical of the man, he warned his fellow soldiers of a potential threat just prior to the explosion that killed him, making them move away from his position in a selfless act which saved their lives.”

He added: “Guardsman Daniel Probyn was quite simply the most outstanding soldier I have ever come across and I consider myself very fortunate to have had the pleasure of serving alongside him on operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

The keen rugby player and West Bromwich Albion supporter, who joined the Army in 2003, was taking part in an operation to clear a Taliban-occupied compound on the outskirts of Garmsir.

British forces successfully engaged and destroyed a Taliban stronghold using artillery, mortars and small arms fire but as they cleared the enemy’s positions they were hit by an explosion. The fifth casualty received only very minor injuries, and the remaining members of the patrol have now safely returned to base.

His company commander, Major Will Mace, said he was one of his “very best soldiers”. He said: “Consummately professional in everything he did, he was one of those men who always delivered a thousand times more than was asked of him.”

Guardsman Probyn’s fellow soldiers described him as “like a brother” to them. One, Guardsman Keith Rowlatt, said: “Probyn was a great mate. He always has been and he always will be. He will be greatly missed. We all loved him like a brother.”